CHERAW – The results are in from Washington, D.C. and the decision to keep the Cheraw Post Office in its current Market Street location has been confirmed.

On Tuesday, around 4:30 p.m., U.S. Congressman John Spratt’s Office notified The Cheraw Chronicle via telephone to announce the Cheraw Post Office will stay in its Market Street location downtown and will remain as it is.

“We were very optimistic after hearing from Postmaster General, the Honorable John E. Potter, and the decision has been made and is final,” said Chuck Fant of Spratt’s Office.

Spratt said, “There are some post office facilities that should be preserved. The Cheraw Post Office is one of those facilities because it is part of our heritage,” said Congressman Spratt.

In light of the strong effort to save the Cheraw Post Office from its proposed consolidation of its operations to Hwy. 9 Cheraw Mayor Scott Hunter, Cheraw resident Fred Craft and a few S.C. representatives, paid a visit to Washington, D.C. in October to voice their opinions and concerns about the post office relocating.

“I appreciate everyone’s help in our striving to save the old post office. The Town Administrator, Bill Taylor and Mayor Scott Hunter along with several others, gave it all they had,” said Craft. “We could not have accomplished anything without the Town Council and the citizens of this community,” he added.

Mayor Hunter said, “I appreciate everyone’s effort, phone calls and concerns in standing with us in saving the Cheraw Post Office. It was and always is a community effort when things like this come together, we are excited and pleased with the decision.”

In addition, Cheraw Town Council received a copy of a letter dated Nov. 24 from U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, voicing his concern of the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) proposed closure of the Cheraw, S.C. facility.

The letter stated the facility on Market Street is a historic building within the Cheraw Historic District. As a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, Graham said he is aware of the dire financial situation of the USPS.

However, he also stated the USPS should explore all cost saving measures but also urged the Postmaster General to consider the potential costs that could be incurred and the impact that the closure would have on the Cheraw community.

“The large and centrally located post office downtown, has served as a center of the community in the Cheraw Historic District. It has conveniently provided retail services to individuals and local businesses since 1933. The remote annex location which was being considered, is primarily used for sorting, not easily accessible to pedestrians and does not have the capacity to provide retail services,” said Sen. Graham.

On Oct. 7, representatives from the S.C. District Office U.S. Postal Service in Columbia held a public meeting at the Cheraw Community Center. The purpose of that meeting was to introduce and discuss consolidating the operations of the Cheraw Post Office, located on Market Street, to the U.S. Postal Carrier Annex facility, on the corner of Hwy. 9. Members of the Cheraw Post Office were also present at the meeting as well as around 200 or more local citizens who ventured out to voice his or her opinion about the issue. A special website was also set up on (www.facebook.com) for concerned citizens to share his or her comments on the subject.

Cheraw’s Market Street Post Office Postmaster, Angela Hennigan, said last week before the decision was made, “We will continue to provide the best service to our customers and we will deal with whatever decision they make.”

Below is a list of Delegates in Washington, D.C. in which Cheraw citizens were able to send their concerns to regarding the Cheraw Post Office issue.

Congressman John M Spratt, Jr.

1401 Longworth Office Bldg.

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: 202-225-5501

Senator Lindsey O. Graham

290 Russell Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, DC 20510

Phone: 202-224-5972

Senator James W. DeMint

340 Russell Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, DC 20510

Phone: 202-224-6121